Category Archives: Class Decades

John F. Dignam ’47

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John F. Dignam of Ossining, New York, passed away Nov. 6, 2017, at the beautiful age of 92 with his family by his side.
John was born in Easthampton in 1925 to Vincent and Kunigunde (Kessler) Dignam. He attended Easthampton schools through to high school and attended a postgraduate year of school at the Williston Academy, where he was a star athlete. John left Easthampton and attended the Massachusetts School of Art in Boston.
After serving our nation in the Air Force, John played for the St. Louis Cardinals minor league baseball team for a time before moving to New York. He worked many years as a vice president of the J. Walter Thompson Advertising Agency in New York City. John was a very gifted artist and was very successful with his own artwork and showings. He enjoyed drawing and painting portraits of everyday people and gave many a waiter and waitress their own portrait on the restaurant napkins.
John is survived by his loving wife, Marion (Rhinehart), and his sons Justin (Christine) of California and Peter (Lauren) of Colorado. He will be greatly missed by his grandchildren, Taylor, Chandler, Jack, Cole and Sam, and his sister, Carolyn M. Croake of Easthampton. He also leaves five nieces and nephews and three stepdaughters and their families.
John was predeceased by his brother, Arthur Dignam of Easthampton.

Posted in: 1940s

Marshall R. Louis ’60

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Marshall Robert Louis, Jr., was born Jan. 26, 1943 and raised in Auburn, NY. He received his secondary education at Williston Academy, undergraduate at Yale, and graduate education at New York University.
Marshall served our nation in many roles, including at the US State Department as a Cultural Affairs Officer. After a distinguished career that included service in Zaire, Israel, Japan, Brazil, Colombia, and many other countries, he retired to central Maine.
He died after a brief battle with cancer on Nov. 11, 2017, in Bangor, Maine.
Marshall is survived by his three children, Rachel Barnett, Josh Louis, and Ana Gabriela Loius; and granddaughter, Olivia. He is also survived by his fiancée, Beth Zaccaro, and his much-loved dogs, Nor’easter, Klondike, Allegra, and Applejack. He is survived by three siblings, Tom (’62), Ken (’65), and Sue Louis. He had many friends in Milo and the Lake View Plantation area.
He was a man of many talents, a deep thinker, and had a positive impact on our nation’s international reputation. We love him, miss him, and will remember him.

Posted in: 1960s

James Bump ’64

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James Bump, of Putnam, CT, passed away in November 2017.

Jim was born in Springfield, MA, son of C. Kilbourne and Gertrude (Lapham) Bump.

He went to Williston Academy after attending Minnechaug High School. At Westminster College, New Wilmington, PA, class of 1969, he majored in piano, after realizing that he could read music faster than text. There he began to build instruments, laying the foundation for several years of lute building and about 19 years at Old Sturbridge Village. At OSV, he demonstrated crafts and built replicas of furniture and tools, from plows to looms to a printing press, so that historical techniques could be shown without damaging the original antiques.

In the 1990’s, Jim worked as a church organist and accompanist to students, soloists and choruses. Trying a week of classes at Summer Keys, Lubec, ME, he was taken on as piano accompanist for adult amateur musicians. He fell in love with Lubec, and bought a 5 bedroom house, where he rented rooms to music students, making friends from around the world. After 10 years, he resigned from accompaniment and concentrated on hosting string quartets, in which he was always the viola.

In 2012, Jim helped to start the Northeast Connecticut Community Orchestra, which continues to meet in Ashford, CT and perform in several nearby towns.

Jim is survived by his brother Ben and sister-in-law Ellen Bump, cousins, and longtime companion Rachel Lewis and her family.

Posted in: 1960s

John A. Alogna ’62

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John A. Alogna, 74, of Bethlehem, PA died November 5th, 2017. He was born in Wethersfield, CT, the son of first generation Italian immigrants, Ella Corinne Maturo and Michael Paul Alogna. He attended the Williston Northampton School in Easthampton, MA and went on to Dickinson College in Carlisle, PA. At a business conference, his father and future father-in-law realized they both had children attending schools in the same area (his future wife, Winifred (Wink) attended a prep school, Penn Hall, located in Chambersburg, PA). After being introduced by the fathers, John and Wink went on a first date, which must have made an impression on them both, as they recently celebrated their 49th wedding anniversary surrounded by family and friends. Upon his graduation and following their marriage, they moved to Philadelphia, PA where he received his MBA and Juris Doctorate from Temple University. John started his legal career with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in Harrisburg. After living and working in Pittsburgh and Williamsport, PA he and his growing family relocated to Bethlehem in 1981 when he joined the Fuller Company as Vice President, General Counsel and corporate Secretary. During his tenure, John expanded Fuller’s Legal Department, oversaw management of the international subsidiaries, and was instrumental in developing and implementing policies and procedures that had profound and lasting impacts on Fuller’s business. John was one of a handful of Fuller executives who collectively bought Fuller from GATX Corporation in 1986. He had significant involvement in every major endeavor Fuller pursued including the sale of the company on February 14 1990, to a Danish industrial conglomerate, F.L.Smidth & Co. John continued to serve as a director, senior vice-president and general counsel of Fuller (which later changed its name to FLSmidth Inc.) until his retirement in 2002. He was a long time board member and served several terms as Chairman of the Board of the Lehigh Valley Business Coalition on Health Care, which is the major voice and advocate of local employers on health care issues. He was also a long time board member of the national nonprofit People’s Medical Society where he played an active role in propelling the society to become one of the largest consumer health advocacy organizations in the U.S. Upon retirement, John volunteered with the Service Corp of Retired Executives where he advised entrepreneurs in business fundamentals. He was recognized in leading the Lehigh Valley chapter of SCORE to national distinction in fundraising. He also dedicated many volunteer hours with the Historic Bethlehem Society, serving on the Board of Trustees. In 2013, John was chosen as the Historic Bethlehem Society’s annual Honoree for his work on behalf of the organization. John’s love of discourse also led him to start multiple discussion groups with diverse groups of people, discussing current issues and the impact they had on society. His love of people, animals, and the environment drove him to work tirelessly to alleviate the pain of others. Even during his last days, his greatest sorrow was seeing others suffer. Survivors: John is survived by his loving wife Winifred; his son Forrest and wife Sandrine of Paris, France and their children (Lucy and Felix); his daughter Nora and husband Indrajit (Ed) of Goa, India and their children (Ella, Sachi, and Max); his son Michael and wife Elizabeth of Bethlehem, PA and their children (Wyatt, Reese, Quinn, and Cora); his son Alexander of Bethlehem, PA; daughter Marian and husband Alistair of Jersey City, NJ and their daughter (Lillian); and his youngest daughter Victoria of Dunedin, New Zealand; He is also survived by his best friend and brother Michael T. Alogna ’57 of Arlington, MA; and sister Patricia Reiss of Lake Forest, IL. His sister, Donna Edson of Clinton, NJ, predeceased him.

Posted in: 1960s

Robert B. Doolittle ’48

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Robert Burt Doolittle passed away peacefully at home on October 11, 2017. He was eighty-seven. Robert was born on March 23, 1930, in New Haven, Connecticut. He attended Roger Ludlow High School in Fairfield, Connecticut for two years. Then, in 1945, he became a student at Williston Academy in Easthampton, Massachusetts where he was active in sports and captain of the hockey team. He graduated from Williston in 1948. Robert attended both the University of Vermont and the University of Bridgeport, before he enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard in 1950. While in the Coast Guard, he was stationed in Groton, Connecticut. After completing his military service, Robert attended Quinnipiac University, in Hamden, Connecticut, and graduated with an accounting degree. After he passed the State of Connecticut Certified Public Accountant exam he worked as a public accountant at Byxbee Company in New Haven, Connecticut. In 1960, Robert moved from New Haven, Connecticut to Glastonbury, Connecticut and worked as Financial Analyst at Pratt & Whitney Aircraft, and later as Senior Financial Analyst at United Technologies, Inc. in Hartford. After retiring in 1987, Robert studied fine woodworking at Leeds School of Design in Northampton, Massachusetts, where he devoted his time to the art of furniture making and finishing. In 1996, he left Glastonbury, Connecticut and moved to Ormond Beach, Florida, where he lived for the rest of his life. Robert leaves behind his wife Elaine Whiteman Doolittle (Pat) of nearly sixty-five years, his brother Charles King Doolittle ’50 (Chas) of Auburn, California, his sons Robert Monroe Doolittle (Rob) and Rob’s wife Laurie, Charles Henry Doolittle (Chuck) and Chuck’s wife Karen, and his daughter Elizabeth Louise Doolittle (Beth). He leaves behind seven grandchildren, Sarah Lund, Ross Monroe, Erin Louise, Sydney Francis, Lexi Kate, Beatrice Georgiana and Michael Eden, and poodle Dorie.

Posted in: 1940s

G. Alec Harwood ’60

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George “Alec” Harwood, 75, of Homosassa, Fla., passed away August 28, 2017.
He was born in Scarsdale, N.Y. Alec was an avid computer geek and worked as an internal consultant for Hewlett Packard prior to retirement.
He is survived by his wife of 32 years, Judith Harwood of Homosassa, Fla.; two daughters, Sarah Whittemore (Mark) of Maui, Hawaii, Amy Williams of Lake Mary, Fla.; step-son, Brian Barbieri (Kim) of Salem, N.H.; brother, Hugh Harwood ‘59 (Nancy) of Aiken, S.C.; five grandchildren, Dakota, Cassidy, Makena, Jacob, and Kayley. Alec had one niece and one nephew and two great-nephews, loving family, and friends.

Posted in: 1960s

G. Arnold Haynes ’45

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G. Arnold Haynes, Visionary and Pioneer Of Wellesley, MA. died peacefully on October 15, 2017 at his home; just four days before his 90th birthday. He attended Wellesley Public Schools and graduated from the Williston Academy (Easthampton, MA), Nichols Junior College (1950) and Boston University (1951). He served in the U. S. Army (1946 – 1948). Arnold was the beloved husband for 61 years of the late Carol Congdon Haynes who died on October 13, 2012. He and Carol shared passions for family, education, reading, art, and travel. Arnold formed G. Arnold Haynes, Inc. in 1953; later becoming Haynes Management Inc, a real estate development and management company based in Wellesley Hills, MA. He became a legendary residential builder and developer in Wellesley, Weston and surrounding towns. He was a visionary and one of the first pioneers to develop and build suburban office buildings along Rte. 128. Haynes Management grew to be a major commercial property owner and management company in the western suburbs of Boston. It was Arnold’s pride and joy and he actively ran the company until his death. He was also passionate about banking and was a director of Newton Cooperative Bank, Pioneer Bank and Chart Bank spanning four decades. Arnold was a creative force and generous benefactor who supported many schools and organizations, included Williston North Hampton School, the Rivers School in Weston, Vanguard School in Lake Wales, FL, Wavus Camp in Jefferson, ME, the Boy Scouts of America (Knox Trail Counsel), Cure Alzheimer’s Fund, the Castle Preservation Society in Moultonborough, NH, the Barnstormers Theatre in Tamworth, NH and the Wright Museum in Wolfeboro, NH. He was a member of the Wellesley Country Club, Bald Peak Colony Club and Mountain Lake Colony Club, where he was an avid golfer. He is survived by his three children and their spouses; Melinda and Stephen Bradley of Wellesley, MA, Jonathan and Bernadette Haynes of Boston, MA, and Andrea and Stephen Perry of Greenville, SC, and his sister Carol Nelson and long-time caregiver, Kathy Caldwell. He is also survived by his eight grandchildren, Jessica Bradley Roberson and her husband Neil, Chandler Bradley and his wife Lara-Anne, Christina Bradley, Whitney, Melissa and Meredith Haynes, Madison and Leland Perry and two great grandchildren Reid and Brooke Roberson.

Posted in: 1940s

Thomas S. Cottrell ’51

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Thomas Sylvester Cottrell, M.D. of Cutchogue, NY died at age 83 of a stroke at his home on Sept. 17, 2017. Tom Cottrell was born in Chicago to Sylvester V. and Cleo Medley Cottrell, spent his childhood in Detroit and graduated from Williston Academy in Easthampton, MA. After earning a Bachelor of Arts degree from Brown University in 1955 he returned to Williston to teach English. Training at Officer Candidate School in Newport, R.I., led to a commission in the U.S. Navy from 1957 to 1960 aboard the USS Scanner, based in California. Tom married his wife of 58 years, Jane Chichester Cottrell, in San Francisco in 1959. Lieutenant (LTJG) Cottrell received an honorable discharge from the U.S. Navy in 1965. Dr. Cottrell earned his M.D. from Columbia University in the City of New York, College of Physicians and Surgeons in 1965. His fellowship in pathology at Yale University in 1967 researching diseases of the lung was recognized for excellence by the John and Mary Markle Foundation. In 1968, Dr. Cottrell began his career in academic medicine as Senior Associate Dean of New York Medical College in Valhalla, N.Y. He joined the Stony Brook University faculty in 1979 as a founding architect of the School of Medicine, where he was affectionately known as Doctor Tom. At Stony Brook, few could evade the personal focus that Doctor Tom brought to all those he interacted with during his 21-year tenure as Executive Associate Dean and Associate Professor of Pathology, leading up to his retirement in 2000. At that time, he was given Professor Emeritus status in recognition of his valued service to the university. Doctor Tom’s impact extended beyond the Dean’s Office to all those students and colleagues who confidently sought out his insight and advice as a mentor and friend. Survivors include his wife, Jane; his brother, Stephen; three adult children, including Matthew Thomas Cottrell, Anne Cottrell Patin and Sarah Jane Lazar; and grandsons, Nicholas Cottrell Patin and Andre Thomas Patin.

Posted in: 1950s

William H. Aydelotte ’55

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William H. “Willie” Aydelotte, 82, passed away October 3, 2017 at his home in Reno, NV. Willie was born in Schenectady, NY on August 14, 1935 to William and Margaret Aydelotte. Willie grew up in Schenectady and attended Williston Academy in Easthampton, MA and Bryant College in Providence, RI where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.

Upon graduation, Willie went to work for the Travelers Insurance Company in Hartford, CT. Although he was trained in all facets of the Life, accident and Health Departments, he eventually was placed in the Employee Benefits Division. After a year of training, The Travelers transferred him to their branch office in San Francisco, CA.

After several years in the insurance industry, Willie was lured away by a client who wanted him to head a recreational facility near Heavenly Valley, CA. Willie sold his insurance agency and moved to South Lake Tahoe where he helped to develop several townhouse and recreational facilities. Eventually the real estate venture failed and Willie was forced to move to Reno where he became a real estate agent until his retirement in 1995.

One evening, a friend invited Willie to square dancing class to learn the dance and meet a lovely friend of theirs who was well versed in the dance and would be his “partner for the evening.” The “partner for the evening” turned into a partner for life and Mary Anna and Willie were married in August 1991.

Willie was very active in Free Masonry. He was Worshipful Master of his Lodge, Potentate of Kerak Shrine and president of many clubs and organizations, both in Reno and Ft. Myers, FL where he retired. He loved to play golf and was a member of the United States Professional Tennis Association. He was also an avid skier also belonged to the National Ski Patrol.

Willie is survived by his wife Mary Anna, his sister Margaret Mills of New York, his brother G. Thomas of Greenwich, CT, nieces Julie Levine and Lee Aydelotte Boffey, nephew Tommy Mills, two stepsons, Chris and John and many, many other relatives by marriage.

Posted in: 1950s

Herbert Fisher ’45

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Herbert Fisher of Bloomfield Hills, MI died peacefully in his sleep on September 30, 2017, aged 89. Mr. Fisher had a long career as a market research and advertising executive. He retired from corporate advertising in the 1980s to become co-founder of Allison-Fisher, Inc., a market research firm. Mr. Fisher was a graduate of Williston Academy, Harvard College and University of Chicago, where he earned a PhD in sociology. Among his numerous non-profit endeavors, he served as a Trustee of Cranbrook School. He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Ann (“Betty”) Dederick Fisher, his four children, eight grandchildren and one great grandchild. The family plans a private service in the Bahamas.

Posted in: 1940s